Life's a miracle, and Garang Kuol is a living proof of its highs and lows

That Kolo Muani's miss. Or Dibu Martinez's save, if you prefer. It has become a sort of mythical moment by now. It was a heartbreaking split of a second for France, as they could have won the World Cup if that ball had gone in.

But, as we all know, it didn't, and Argentina went on to win it in the penalty shootout.

However, what if we tell you there was another, mistakenly forgotten, moment similar to Kolo Muani's only a few days before?

Garang Kuol, the South Sudanese teenager playing for Australia, found himself in front of Martinez from almost exactly the same spot as the French winger and the outcome was the same - Villa keeper got a hold of it in the dying seconds of the game to save his side. Only in Kuol's case, it was the round of 16, and Australia were one goal down against the favourites.

For such a young fella - he was only 18 then and the youngest player to feature in a FIFA World Cup knockout match since Pele in 1958 - it must have been devastating to see himself going from hero to zero in front of the eyes of the whole world. Many others would probably succumb to despair, but not this boy, who was shaped by obstacles and difficulties from the very first day of his life.

Garang was born on 15 September 2004 in an Egyptian refugee camp after his family fled their war-torn home in South Sudan. His parents, Mawien and Antonietta Kuol sought safety in Egypt before settling in 2010 in Shepparton, Australia, as refugees. There began Garang's long journey up the ranks of Australian clubs and, subsuequently, the national team - Socceroos. At the Qatar WC, he became the youngest-ever player of Australia at the global showpiece.

Newcastle sign teenage Australia striker Kuol

In the meantime, he signed a long-term deal with Newcastle United but went on loan to Scottish top-tier side Hearths and, this August, he was sent on a season-long loan to Eredivisie club FC Volendam.

Matthias Kohler, the German tactician in charge of Volendam, recently told the media that the youngster "needs to be patient for playing time".

And it seems the patience has finally paid off, as Kuol netted for Volendam only a day after his 19th birthday this Saturday.

Although his team had lost all four opening games of the season, including that one against Fortuna this weekend, the South Sudanese forward proved his talent and is on the right track. His six brothers and parents are supporting him from the other side of the globe and praying Garang makes the most of it. For a natural-born winner like him, it should be no problem at all.